asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many typewriters and to what value have been purchased by Government Departments in the past twelve months; what proportion of the total output of British typewriters his purchase represents; and whether the Government requirements of typewriters take priority over commercial needs.

Four thousand, three hundred and twenty-nine typewriters of an approximate value of £109,000 representing 9.6 per cent. of total British output. Allocations are determined by the Ministry of Supply after consideration of both Government and commercial needs.